Machine for gluing and sealing carton flaps



June 2, 1953 F. c. GENCO ET AL 2,640,305

MACHINE FOR GLUING AND SEALING CARTON FLAPS Filed Aug. 1, 1949 8Sheets-Sheet i &

IN VEN TOR.

. flank C Genco BY 5'ne-sfl2 EdIm/nds m/aa Fan are/la F. C. GENCO ETALMACHINE FOR GLUING AND SEALING CARTON FLAPS Filed Aug. 1, 1949 Jl me 2,1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Han/l C. Genco BY E 61- 1? Ed n03 NicZZfas an a z lla :Iune 2, 1953 F.c. GENCO ET AL 2,640,305

MACHINE FOR GLUING AND SEALING CARTON FLAPS Filed Aug. 1, 1949 8Sheets-Sheet s INVTOR I ma/f C Genco BY Ernasf R Edmund:

Nicholas Pan arella F. c. GENCO ET AL 2,640,305

MACHINE FOR GLUING AND SEALING CARTON FLAPS Filed Aug. '1, 1949 June 2,1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 56- I3? El IN VEN TOR.

Bran/K C. Genco BY frn es f)? Edmunoa Mc/lo as June 2, 1953 F. c. GENCOET AL MACHINE FOR GLUING AND SEALING CARTON FLAPS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledAug. 1, 1949 INVENTOR FPan/f 0 CO BY "6 vflafjfgm 5%??? 4149 June 2,1953 F. C. GENCO ET AL MACHINE FOR GLUING AND SEALING CARTON FLAPS 8Sheets-sheaf. 6

Filed Aug. 1, 1949 N BMW WWW INVENTOR- Fran/f 6. 5;

Gen sf/Yfdmun Ma 0/06 Pan arella Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ACHINE FQR G G A D SE G CARTON FLAPS Application August 1,1949, Serial No. 108,034

1 Claim. 1.

Th s i en ion relates to packa ng machin s and it h ar icular referencto machines lei" closing. fil in an se lihg past beer cartons which ma ctain ar ous. d mesti rodu ts su h. as en f a es cere l. or he ik The inention nr vides a m h ne to luin and. eal ng the bott m flee of a car n.clam ns t e car ns to set th g e on th a d fla s preparati n to fil n nds b equent y elo ins and s al g the en f aps- In s s qu hee ofoperations, a no e coordin t on is eiieet d l etween the units of themachine in which the up.- per f aws a e hr hesitiehed upon ntry n o tmeehine are m intained in s ch position duri the bo tom se in o erationa d en the ea ea is clamped, the en flees are d iti n y set o crease Tus, h nv the eer r ehe-ye t o h fi l ng and. ten s a i g instrumentalltie r h othe have. re n a ed o i i n calculated to simrlfy sueh inalop rati n d to si plify e mec anis s as a result he o The invent on alsire to l-m chanical units which are devised to fulfill their fu ct on ie P iti e ma ner an w h s mplex means than have heretofore been used. Inthe entry portion of the present machine, for example, an auxiliarypallet conveyor receives the cartons and squares them while, forwardingthem, through the bottom sealing operation. In he. top ea in mechani m.th i e eh e b t heretofore necessary practice of inclining the glueolls. s obviat d by timing the ca ons y eemlike stationary means, whilethe cartons are in transit through the unit.

Th pr en in n n lso ro id e he es ns machine whi h ay e r ad ad u ed.to. ae e m d x s e dif e nt d m n i ns, thereby reducing the capitalinvestment which o herwise would be n e er Add t onal bjec and ad antags and a pr ct cal mhe iment f he in en ion, will b appa ent from the flowin des rip on, ead in nn ct n wit th eeeom nahyine drawing whereinlFig, 1 is atop view of the bottom sealin unit;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

F g. 3 is an enlarged top view of the entrance portion of the bottomsealing unit with the top conveyor deck removed;

Rigv s a p r he i e iew sho ng h pe l t tructure and assoc at d s cti no on yor chain;

5 is an enlarged cross section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section on the line 8--6 of Fig. 2';

(Cl. 53rl45) ies a f agm n r sectio n th ne 11- c Fi 6-;

i 8 i an en ar oss e ti n n t line -B oi Fig- Fig. 9 is a fragmentarysection on the line 91-4 f F 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showin dia rams matically the progressiveoperations performed on the cartons by the entire machine;

Figs. ii and 12 are top and side views resnec, i y of th en sealing uniF e- 13 is n nlarge s c on on the ne B t; o Fi ,2;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section on the line Ila-e14 of Fig. 12;

Fig, 15 is an enlarged section on the, line 151-?! 5 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary top view h he the ha n conv or ndetail.

The machine is devised for operation with care tons C, which, asillustrated in Fig. 10, are first manually squared and are then insertedin the machine in the vertical position shown. For CD11! venience ofreference, the flaps projecting from the leading edges of the carton aretermed lead: ing flaps L; the opposite flaps, trailing flaps T; theside, glue-receiving flaps G; and the cover flaps s.

The machine generally consists of aligned units 2: and 21 (Figs. 1 and11) which are organized to fold and seal the flaps on the bottom and tope d of t a ns respec y T e. bott m sealing unit 26, which will be firstdescribed, is provided with an entrance fixture 22, which serves as aguide, and a bending instrumentality for the manual insertion of thecartons in the ma..- ohine. In Fig. 10 it will be seen that the topflaps L and T are both initially bent rearward, while the bottom flaps Land T are bent inward or toward each other. This arrangement of flaps ismaintained as the cartons pass through the unit 2!} where the bottomflaps G and S are bent and sealed, and then the cartons are advancedinto the unit 2! wtih the top flaps still retained in this predeterminedand most advantageous position for the final filling and top sealingoperas tions, as will presently be more specifically de-. scribed.

The unit 28 consists of a base 23, fabricated from an inverted channel24 and coextensive and parallel angles 25 and 25a (Figs. 1 3 and-5)Ihree pairs of legs 2%; support the base 2.3, and such legs are eachprovided with an angular cap member 21 which is welded to the sides ofthe channel 24 or angles 25, 25a. As best seen in Fig. 8, terminals 28are connected to each leg 26 by large nuts 29, by which means the levelof the base 23 may be precisely adjusted.

Frame members 3| of U-shaped configuration (Fig. 6) are mountedtransversely beneath the channel 24, with their vertical legs 32 weldedto the sides of the channel. The legs 32 are formed with spaced gibs 33which receive slidably the vertical legs 34 of the yoke 35. The upperends of the yoke legs 34 carry a top conveyor structure including anelongated channel 36. The yokes are formed with threaded centralportions 31 for receiving screws 38 whose upper terminals 38:: arerotatably mounted in the overlying frame members 3|. A handwheel 39carried by each screw 38 affords means for elevating each yoke 35, andthus adjustably positioning the channel 35 relative to the channel 24.

The channel 36 carries a plate 4| (Figs 1, 2, and which projects to theleft and is flanged at its extremity as indicated by the numeral 41a. Aplough member 42 is provided with a similar flange 42a for connectionwith the flange 41a by bolts 44. The plough member has a narrow terminalportion 45 curving downward and merging with symmetrical wing portions41. Side guide rails 48 and 49 are carried by the plate 4i in slightlyspaced relation thereto, the rail 49 being supported rigidly by mountingmembers 5| (Fig. 5), and the rail 49 being adjustably carried by screws52. The screws 52 are threaded in nuts 53, which are secured to theplate 4 i, and projecting portions of the screws are furnished withhandwheels 54 to permit manual adjustment of the rail 49. It will beseen from Fig. 1 that the entrance ends of the guide rails are flaredoutwardly to facilitate the entrance of the cartons therebetween.

A plate 56 is secured to the top of the angle 25, and it serves as asupport for an inclined horn 50, which, together with the overlyingplough member 42, constitutes the previously mentioned entrance fixture22. A bottom support rail 51 forms a continuation of the horn 69 (Fig.3) and it extends into the machine horizontally. A side guide rail 58 issupported above the plate 55 by a mounting member GI, and it.likewiseprojects horizontally and beyond the end of the rail 51, where its righthand extremity is secured to the channel 24 by a second mounting member62.

A second guide rail 53 (Figs. 3 and 5) forms part of anadjustable shelfstructure 64. Depending lugs 65 are carried by the shelf 64, and theyrotatably receive the shouldered ends of adjusting screws 65, which inturn are carried by stationary nuts 61 secured to the angle 25a.Handwheels 58 are secured to the screws 56, which may be manipulated toadjust the shelf 64, and thus the rail 53, laterally with respect to thestationary side rail 58 to accommodate cartons of different widths.

The horn 60 and plough 42, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, serve to aidthe operator to insert the carton and to deflect and position the flapsin. the desired predetermined position. After squaring the carton, theoperator rolls the bottom of the carton on the horn 69, so that bothlower flaps T and L are bent inward (Fig. The carton is immediatelythereafter pushed directly down the inclined horn 60 to bring the lowerglue flap G into the sloping plough surface 69a of the horn, causingsuch flap to be pivoted to a horizontal position on the plate 55 andunder the stationary side guide rail 55. A continuation of this movementbrings the carton under the plough 42, whereupon the upper flaps L and Tsuccessively engage the terminal 45, causing these flaps to be bentrearward. The upper flaps G and C are bent outwardly upon contacting thewing portions 41, so that they ultimately ride against the overlyingflat surface of the upper plate 4!, and above the horizontal flanges ofthe rails 48 and 49. The lower margins of the carton now engage thesupport rail 51 which serves as a horizontal guide during the automaticgluing operation, which will now be described.

A pallet or auxiliary conveyor 19 is located adjacent the describedentrance fixture 22, and it comprises spaced sprockets H, 12 (Fig. 3)having attached shafts l3 and 74 carried by vertical bearings 75 and 16respectively. The bearing T5 is welded to the plate 56, while thebearing 76 is similarly secured to the top of the channel 24. The shaft14 extends downward through a suitable opening in the channel 24 (Fig.6) where it receives a bevel gear Ti which serves as a driven connectionwith the remaining motive elements of the unit 20, as will be laterdescribed. An endless chain 18 engages about the sprockets H, 12 and alaterally offset idler sprocket 19 (Figs. 1 and 3). The chain, at spacedintervals, is provided with special projecting links 82 (Fig. 4) havingaligned apertures 83. The idler sprocket I9 is mounted on a shaft 85which is carried in a vertical bearing 95, the lower end of which issecured to a bracket 81 extending to and welded to the angle 25.

The pallets 88 are of rectilinear formation (Fig. 4) having integralparallel arms 89 and 91, projecting beyond the margin of the pallet,which are formed with vertically aligned apertures 89:]. and am. Theupper arm 89 is additionally provided with an upstanding flange 92. Thepallets 88 are each mounted on a link 82 of the chain 78 by a pivot pin93 which extends through the various apertures of the link and pallet.

The front leg of the chain 73 is received in a track 94 which is rigidlymounted on brackets 95 and 95 secured to the plate 56 and channel 24respectively. The track 94 is channel-shaped in cross section (Figs. 5and 6), with its upper leg having a reentrant vertical flange 31, withinwhich structure the vertical flanges 92 of the pallets 88 are slidablyreceived. Thus, as the pallets enter the track 94, they are retained invertical planes normal to the track, while after leaving the track theyare free to pivot on their pin con nection with the chain 78. The lefthand or entrance end of the track 94 is provided with a spiral extension98 (Fig. 3) overlying the sprocket H and serving to guide the flangeportions 92 of the pallets into proper position for entry into the track94.

The pallet conveyor 19 is driven counter-"- clockwise as viewed in Fig.3, with the pallets on the track section 94 moving from left to right.The operator times the insertion of the cartons in the entrance fixture22 and within the horizontal stretches of the guide rail structures, sothat the cartons are successively engaged by the pallets. Now underfully automatic control, the lower flaps are then glued and sealed.

A glue applicator unit I is devised to apply glue to both surfaces ofthe lower flap G, and it includes a glue tank 10! located beneath theangle 25, and having partially immersed therein a large applicator roll"32 (Figs. 3 and 5). A bearing bracket I03 is secured to the angle 25,and it rotatably receives a shaft H75 which carries the roll I02. Adepending flange portion I96 .of the bracket I03 serves to carry thetank IIII, which is welded thereto. The tank is furnished with a scraperor doctor blade 99 for the roll I02. An upper applicator roll Ill! isprovided with a shaft I08 which is rotatably received in a bearingmember Illfi. The bearing member is provided with a bracket portion I IIwhich is secured to the top of the angle 25. A shield H4 is secured tothe tank and the side guide rail 51 (Fig. 5) to cover the end of theupper roll I 01, and it protects the bodies of the passing carton fromcontact with the rollwhile the flaps G are engaged between the rolls.The shafts I95 and we carry meshing gears [05s, Iota, and the shaft I05additionally carries a sprocket H which is driven by means hereinafterdescribed.

As each carton passes beyond the glue applicator unit I90, the gluetreated flap G thereof engages a plough bar II'Ii (Figs. 3 and which isdisposed in the path of the flap G, and which is secured to the top ofthe channel 26. The plough bar H6 is suitably curved so that theengaging flap G is deflected from its initial horizontal positionthrough 180 of movement to a closed position covering the leading andtrailing flaps L and T (Fig. 10). A closing plough 12a, in the format asheet metal horn, is secured beneath the ad justable shelf 64, and it isdisposed in the path of the depending closure flaps S. As best shown inFigs. 3 and 10, it will be seen that the flaps S initially engage theplough I during the final closing movement of the glue flaps G, and, asa particular carton is moved by its platen along the guide rails, theflap S is moved to a position covering the flap G. The closing plough I23 merges into a horizontal portion I2Ilc at its right hand end, andsuch portion serves to support the carton during the remaining shortlength of travel toward the glue setting or clamping unit I-2I of themachine.

The clamping unit I2I consists of belts I22 and I23 disposed aboutrollers IZ I, I25 and I26, I27 respectively, with the lower belt I23riding on the flat surface of the channel 25 and the belt I22. beingguided by the overlying surface of the channel 35. The upper rolls IZ l,I25 have pintles I28, I29 mounted in bearings I3I, I32 which are securedto the upper channel 36. The lower rolls I26, I27 have pintles I33, I34mounted in bearings I35, I31, which bearings are secured to the lowerchannel 25. The belts are driven through a motor-reducer set IMI, IM-suitably mounted on a bracket I62 carried by the legs 25 at the righthand end of the unit (Figs. 2 and 8). One end of the pintle 13s isfurnished with a sprocket [4511 which is directly connected to a drivensprocket I52 of the reducer Id I by a chain I 41.

A. cross shaft I53 is carried in hearings Wt (Fig. 8) which are securedto the channel 26 adjacent the lower roll I2'I. Gears I I-8, I49 (Fig.9) carried by the shaft I43 and roll pintle I34 respectively, provide adriving connection for the shaft M3. The. shaft I43 is also furnishedwith a sprocket M5 which is operatively connected by a chain I53 to asprocket I'M secured to the pintle I28 of theoverlying roll I25. Forpurposes of adjustment. the chain. I53 is additionally carried overidler sprockets I55, I56, and IE0, the sprockets I55 and I56 beingsuitably mounted on brackets 51, I53 on the upper and lower channels 35,2t respectively. The sprocket It li (Figs. 2', 8, and 9) is carried by abearing IiiI which: is mounted for horizontal adjustment in a bracketI53 on the channel 24..

A second cross shaft I66 is located adjacent the remaining lower rollI26 and it is connected to the pintle I33 of the lower roll I26 by gearsI61. I 68 (Figs. 6 and '7). Thus, the roll I 26, driven by the belt I23,in turn drives the shaft I66. The shaft I86 carries a bevel gear I69,meshing with the previously described gear 11, the latter being securedto the previously mentioned shaft I6, which drives the pallet conveyorTI). The pintle I33 of the lower roll I25 projects to the rear of themachine, where it receives a sprocket I13 which is connected to thesprocket I ID of the glue applicator unit Hill by a chain I14.

The belts I22, I23 are retained in a taut condition by adjustmentdevices I16 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6 consisting of threaded spaced standardsI11 welded to the channels 36 and 24 and each having bearing blocks I15slidably received thereon, and which blocks are adjustable by means oflock nuts I'm. Rolls I88 are mounted between the blocks I15, whichreceive the 'pintles of the rolls. Idler rolls 119 are disposed on bothsides of each roll I80, and they are mounted in bearings I8I. Additionalidler rolls I82 are located near the extremities of the belts, the lowerbelt I23 having such rolls disposed for free rotation on the crossshafts M3, I86. Similar idler rolls Hi3 for the upper belt I22 aremounted between bearing pairs I 84 secured to the upper channel 35.

It will be observed that after the cartons are bottom sealed, aspreviously described, they rest on the flat portion l 2Ilc of the ploughI20, and are slid to the right, where they first engage under theoverhanging belt I22 and immediately thereafter pass from the portionI2ilc onto the lower belt I23. During this transition, the pallets 88leave the track 94, and the cartons are henceforth moved to the right bythe belts alone, between which they are retained under slight pressurefor the duration of the run, which is sufficient to set the glue on thebottom flaps and also to crease the bent upper flaps in preparation forthe succeeding filling and top gluing operations. The spacing of thebelts is preferably slightly out of parallel (through the adjustments39) so that as the cartons are moved to the right, increasing pressureisgradually applied.

The top sealing unit 2! (Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive) includes a basesimilar to that of the unit 20, having an inverted channel Isl similarlysupported on legs 26. A fabric belt I92 isdisposed about rolls I93, I94! mounted at opposite extremities of the channel IQI by means ofbearings I29 which receive the pintles thereof. The top stretch Wits ofthe belt I92 rides along the web of the channel IQI and it is alignedwith the belt I23 of the unit 20, so that the cartons are passed ontothe belt I92 for succeeding operations. The belt I92 is driven at asimilar rate of speed as the belts I22, I23 of the unit 2.5 by a secondmotor-reducer set I43, I4 I, and through a sprocket arrangement whichmay be identical to that of the unit 20, and therefore designated onFigs. Ii and 12 by the same numerals. From an operational viewpoint, thebelts I82 and I2 3 may be considered as a unitary conveyor means foradvancing the cartons C.

Asthe cartons are moved with the belt I32, they initially pass a fillingstation i l? indicated in dot dash lines on Fig. 12 where they receiveameasured' quantity of granular material. The station I37, which indetail is not intended to form a part of the invention, may be of anyKnown type, either manual or automatic, which may deliver material intoeach carton through the previously prepared open top flaps, undersupervision of an operator who, at the completion of the operation,closes the trailing flap T.

After the filling operation, the cartons advance toward a second glueapplicator unit 200'. Inasmuch as the flaps L and T may have a tendencyto raise up, provision is made for holding them down and creasing thembefore the upper flap G is coated. This is effected by means of ahorizontal rod 245, mounted above the belt section I92a in a mannerhereinafter described, whose forward or left hand end is turned up toform a plough 245a,. As the cartons C engage the plough 245a, the flapsL and T are depressed, and are thereafter held in closed position by therod 245.

Side guide rails I98, I99 prevent lateral displacement of the cartons onthe entrant portions of the unit 2I and beneath the filling station I91to the glue applicator unit 200 (Figs. 11 and 12). The rail I98 ismounted in a fixed position by brackets 202, 202a welded to the channelI9I (Fig. 13). The rail I99 is mounted for lateral adjustment toaccommodate cartons of differing widths by means of bracket members 203secured thereto and each having a vertical leg 204 formed with ahorizontal bearing 205. Nuts 206 welded to the channel I9I carryadjusting screws 201, rotatably received in the bearings 205. The screws201 are provided with handwheels 209.

The glue applicator unit 200 (Figs. 11, 12, and 14) differs from thepreviously described glue applicator unit I in that it is bodilyvertically adjustable so that it may be accommodated to cartons ofdifiering heights. The unit 200 consists of small and large rolls 2I I,2 I2 having shafts 2I3, 2I4 projecting through bearings 2 I5, 2I6 andsupplied with meshing gears 2 I1, 2 I8. The lower shaft 2 I4additionally carries a sprocket 2 I 9 which is connected by a chain 220to a drive sprocket 22I. A cross shaft 222, journalled beneath thechannel I9I in a bearing 222a,, carries the sprocket 22I and a roll 223(Figs. 11 and 12).- The belt I92 i maintained in intimate arcuatecontact with the roll 223 by a pail .of idler rolls 224. Thus, the beltI92 serves as a drive for the roll 223, which in turn drives the glueapplicator rolls 2 I I, 2 I2.

The lower bearing 2 I6 of the unit 200 is formed with oppositelyprojecting bearing portions 226. Transverse channels 221 welded beneaththe channel I9I carry vertical posts 228 which serve to receive thebearing portions 226 for adjusting movement. The upper extremities ofthe posts 228 are connected by a rail 230' having an enlarged centraltapped portion 23I for receiving a vertical adjusting screw 232. An archmember 233 is welded to the portions 226 of the bearing 2 I 6, and itextends upward, where its horizontal portion is formed with a verticalbearing 234 for rotata-bly receiving the lower terminal of the screw232. Look collars 235 are secured to the screw 232 to position theterminal thereof in the bearing- 234. The upper roll bearing 2I5 isprovided with an extending portion 236 which is secured to the side ofthe arch member 233.

A glue tank 231 is secured beneath the portions 226, and it encloses thelower portion of the roll 2I2. The front of the tank 231 is providedwith a vertical extension 238 which serves as a shield and support forthe passing cartons, as will presently be described. The screw 232, bymeans of a handwheel 239 secured thereto, may be manipulated to raise orlower the described bearing structure and the accompanying rolls 2 I I,2 I 2 and tank 231 to accommodate cartons of various heights.

As the cartons are moved successively past the glue applicator unit 200,they are gently tipped to an inclined position (Fig. 14); maintained insuch position while the flap G passes between the glue rolls 2II, 2I2;and they are restored to the original vertical position for thesubsequent and final operations. The means for accomplishing thisincludes a stationary guide structure including hollow verticalstandards 240 secured to the members 203. Collars 24I (Fig. 13) arereceived on the standards 240 and secured thereto by set screws 242. Aguide rod 243 connects the collars 24 I, being welded thereto, andhaving its intermediate portion bent inward to form a cam or cartontipping section 244 (Fig. 11). The top guide rod 245 is likewise carriedby the standards 240, having arch-like sup-porting members 246 (Fig. 13)secured thereto, whose vertical terminals 246a are received within thestandards 240 and secured by set screws 241.

The cam section 244 of the rod 243 engages the outer side of the cartonsand tips them rearward as viewed from the front of the machine, or tothe left as viewed in Fig. 14. It will be seen that the inner stationaryguide rail I98 acts as a pivot for the car-ton during this action, whilethe shield 238 of tank 231 provides a back support. The rail I98 issupplied with welded vertical extensions 249 which carry bent horizontalback support bars 250 to supplement the supporting action of the shield238. While the carton is in the tilted position, the flap G passesbetween the rolls 2H and M2 to receive a coating of glue on each side.The carton is then restored to the vertical position by the rods I98,243, and 245, whose right hand portions are bent back into alignmentwiththe inlet ends, as will be readily apparent from Fig. 11. During thisaction, the glued flap G engages a plough 25 I, bent upwardly andinwardly as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which folds the flap over intoengagement with the flaps L and T.

An upper channel 253 is adjustably supported by yokes 35, and the lefthand end thereof is notched as indicated by the numeral 253a to providean opening into which the rod 25I eXtcnds. Brackets 254, 255, secured tothe channel 253, support the rod 25I. A plough 256 (Fig. 15), formed ofsheet metal, is mounted on the channel 253 adjacent the terminal of therod 25I, and it is formed to be engaged by the cover flap S, which isprogressively bent downward to cover the flap G. The mounting for theplough 256 consists of a plate 251 located beneath the channel 253, towhich plate the plough is welded. The plate 251 additionally carries aside guide member 258 and bearing members 259. Nuts 26I welded tothechannel 253 receive adjusting screws 262 whose terminals are entered inbearing members 259, whereby the screws carry the structure 256, forlateral adjustment. A fixed guide bar 260 is secured to the channel 253by brackets 264.

The upper channel 253 has secured to its bearing pairs 261 and 268 forreceiving pintles 269 and 210, which carry rolls 21I and 213 respec-,tively. A clamping belt 212 is disposed about the rolls 21I, 213, andthe latter roll is driven by a chain connection, including sprocket andidler elements, identical to that of the unit 20, and which thereforeneed not be described in detail.

A frictional drive means or booster 215 (Figs. 15 and 16) to preventslipping of the cartons on the belt I92, is supplied at the closingplough locations of the mechanism, and it consists of. a chain 216disposed about sprockets 211, 218.

These sprockets are attached to vertical shafts 219,280 which aremounted in bearings 282, and such bearings are secured to the under sideof the channel 253. The shaft 280 projects upward through its bearing,and it receives a bevel gear 284. A meshing bevel gear 285 on the shaft269 of roll 2' (Fig. serves to drive the booster 215, with the chain 2%thereof being operated at the same rate of speed as that of the beltsI92 and 212.

The chain 2l6 is supplied with spaced special links 276a, which areadapted to engage the rear corners of the cartons; The chain 276 isurged into light lateral contact with the cartons by resilient meansincluding a shoe 286 (Fig. 15) carried by a pair of leaf springs 28?,which in turn are each secured to a bracket 288. The brackets 288'areslotted, as indicated by the numeral 289, to receive bolts 29! carriedby the underlying channel 19! to permit lateral adjustment of the shoe28% and the degree of pressure applied to the chain 215.

A spring-pressed detent 290 is mounted on a bracket 292 secured to thechannel I9I (Figs. 15 and 16) The detent is disposed in the path of thecartons on the entrant portions of the booster 275, and it affords adelaying means for momentarily stopping the cartons until the links 216aregister with and drive the cartons past the detent and thence throughthe zone of the plough 256 in a positive manner.

It will be seen that the clamping belt 212 is located immediatelyadjacent the effective terminus of the chain 216, so that after the lastflaps of the carton are folded, the carton is engaged between the beltsI92 and 216, and conveyed to the right for delivery out of the ma.-chine.

Referring to Fig.10, it will be noted that the original semi-manualpositioning of the upper flaps of the carton in the entrance fixture 22is retained through the unit 20. The pressure applied therein to theupper flaps positions and retains them in a definitely set relationship,while the lower flaps are being glued and moved into sealed position. Asthe carton is delivered on the belt I92 of unit 2I, the upper flapsspring back slightly from their former restrained horizontal positionsto angular positions, which advantageously facilitate filling at stationI91. Later, after the filling operation, the flap L, being in an angularposition, is closed by simple engagement with the stationary rod end2450a.

The vertical adjustment of the upper decks of the units and 2I providesnot only for a various range of carton heights, but also an adjustmentwhereby the clamping belts may be set to converge or diverge veryslightly out of parallelism with the underlying conveyor belts. Thispermits a graduation of pressure application to the sealed flaps whichis occasionally found necessary with cardboard of difiering grades inorder to obtain proper sealing.

It is believed that the machine and its mode of operation has been sofully explained above that adetailed review is unnecessary. It will berecalled that the empty carton, formed with flaps on each end and alongeach edge, is placed in the machine by simply opening it up or squaringit, with the flaps turned outwardly in predetermined directions. One endof the carton is placed on the horn 60, whose configuration is such asto flip the lower glue flap G under the guide rail 58, where it isretained for subsequent passage through the glue rolls I02 and I01. Theupper 10 plough 42 insures the opening of the top flaps G and S, whilethe support and guide rails 51, 48, 49, and 63 retain the carton inproper position, and prevent lateral displacement.

The rare-positioned cartons are then conveyed by the pallet conveyor '10in uniformly spaced relation, and at a synchronous speed, past the gluerolls I82 and H11, where the lower flap G receives an adhesive coatingon both sides. I The lower flaps G and S then successively strike theploughs H6 and I20, which fold them, first one and then the other, overthe short flaps L and T, thereby closing the end of the box. The cartonsare then delivered to the spaced conveyor belts I22 and 523, whichtransport them to the discharge end of the unit 20, and also applyenough pressure to set the glue and thereby seal the lower end of thebox.

The mechanism for closing the top end of the box will be recognizedhaving many analogue features. The entrance plough 245a and guide rail245 retain the flaps L and T in closed position, while the guide railsI98, I99, prevent lateral displacement of the carton on the conveyorbelt I92. The side guide rail 243, formed with the cam section 244, incooperation with the lower guide rails, causes the carton to tilt as itapproaches the second glue applicator Ziill, Where the upper flap G iscoated on each side. Thereafter the ploughs HI and 256 successivelyclose the glued and unglued top flaps, to seal the upper end of the box,

It will be noted that a positive feed side conveyor, such as the palletconveyor TB, is not provided at the inlet end of the glue applicator200, but that a booster conveyor 215 is provided at the inlet end of thesecond sealing conveyor, and it thus partakes of some of the features ofthe conveyor it. It will also be observed that both bottom and topgluing units are disposed at one side of the linear path of the cartonsthrough the machine, which is highly advantageous as the conveyorscannot be soiled by dripping glue, as is the situation with certainprior machines. The location of the second applicator 280 at one side ofthe conveyor IQZ, in conjunction with the slight tilting of the carton,insures an ample coverage of the flap G with adhesive, without stainingthe exterior of the carton or spilling its contents.

It will also be observed that the cartons pass through the unit 23without being fitted over filler blocks, which are unnecessary in thepresent machine. The omission of such blocks, which are considered asessential in certain packaging machines, represents another importantadvantage. Provision has been made for adjustment for both height andwidth by moving the upper sealing conveyor belts and the guides on oneside of the machine, this enabling the user to operate with a number ofdifferent size cartons.

While the invention has been described with respect to one practicalembodiment thereof, it will be apparent that it is subject to numerousmodifications and alterations without departure from its principles.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention should be accorded ascope commensurate with that expressed in the following claim.

We claim:

In a machine for closing and sealing end flaps of a carton, and whereinthe carton is progressively moved through the machine in a substantiallystraight line of travel, a supporting platform upon which the carton isplaced in substantially upright position, an entrance plough above theplatform for moving at least certain of the flaps into a predeterminedposition and with flaps on opposite sides of the carton disposedoutwardly and transversely to the line of travel, spaced uide rails forengaging opposite sides of the carton to forestall lateral movementthereof, a glue applicator comprising a pot and.

pairs of rolls disposed to one side of the line of positioned over theline of travel and spaced from the first closure plough to bend theother transversely disposed flap over on the glued flap, a pair ofhorizontally disposed and vertically spaced conveyor belts adapted toreceive the carton, apply pressure to the end thereof, and move thecarton along the line of travel to seal the closed flaps, furtherconveyor means to feed the cartons from the glue rolls to the spaced 12belts, vertically adjustable supports for one of the spaced conveyorbelts, means for adjustably positioning the guide rails toward and awayfrom each other, and drive means for positively driving the conveyormeans and belts at synchronous speeds.

FRANK C. GENCO. ERNEST R. EDMUNDS. NICHOLAS PANZARELLA.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,161,581 Anderson Nov. 23, 1915 1,165,695 Montgomery et a1.Dec. 28, 1915 1,312,640 Mallinckrodt Aug. 12, 1919 1,791,104 Muskot Feb.3, 1931 2,109,537 Kimball Mar. 1, 1938 2,136,901 Ferguson Nov. 15, 19382,266,054 Lowey et al Dec. 16, 1941 2,425,067 Lowey et a1 Aug. 5, 1947FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 294,332 Great Britain July 26, 1928

